Outlander Season 2 Episode 10: 5 Shocking Moments from the Battle

Although Claire doesn't claim to know every detail about the Jacobite rebellion, it's revealed in last night's episode that she does know the outcome of this specific battle: the Jacobites win at Preston. But even so, she doesn't know what the casualties will be, so she prepares her makeshift hospital for the worst (and fears for Jamie's life).

True to his nature, Prince Charles travels to the Scottish Highlands with bizarre orders for his cavalry. Luckily, he seems to trust Jamie implicitly and often changes his mind after Jamie whispers in his ear about a particular subject (like Dougal Mackenzie, for example). Even when they're finally on the battlefield and the Prince insists that he lead his men into battle, Jamie must talk him off the ledge and assure him that the war is useless with him dead.

The Jacobite commanders can't agree on strategy for the impending battle. One wants to stay put and let the English come to them while the other says they must strike first by crossing the muddy marshlands that divide the two opponents. The conditions in the marsh could potentially be impossible to cross though, so Jamie elects Dougal Mackenzie to test drive it. Dougal rides his horse as far as he can without getting shot by the British army on the other side of it, but inevitably gets stuck in the mud. Although he makes it back in one piece (with a fresh bullet hole in his cap), he reports back that the conditions aren't feasible for an entire cavalry to cross.

When a fellow Scotsman reveals that there is an alternate, unmarked route to the English camp, they use that intel to sneak attack the British forces in the middle of the night. They catch the British army totally unawares and defeat them swiftly. The battle is not without serious casualties though.

Well rip our hearts out, Outlander! Fergus thinks he's brave enough to fight alongside his master and new clansmen, so he joins the battle without Claire knowing. He makes it back safely, but not without some severe emotional damage. He stabbed an English soldier to death and when he admits it to Claire, he breaks down and cries.